PUPILS and teachers are celebrating after new league tables reveal a successful set of results for South Cheshire's top schools.

The tables highlighted the percentage of pupils in each school receiving level five or above at Key Stage Three.

The exams, sat by Year 9 pupils, covered the core subjects of English, maths and science, and results show the majority of pupils in South Cheshire are scoring above the national average.

St Thomas More RC High in Crewe and Brine Leas High in Nantwich came in the top 10 schools in the county, with Sandbach High and Alsager School not far behind.

Ruskin Sports College in Crewe, Shavington High and Malbank School in Nantwich also came above the national average while Coppenhall High in Crewe is at the bottom of the table for pupil achievement.

Deputy headteacher of St Thomas More - which came eighth in the county - Jim McHugh said: 'These results make us very proud. They are a testament to the hard work and expertise of staff, the commitment of pupils and the support of their parents.

'The staff are dedicated and they know what is required to get pupils through their qualifications. We believe if we set the high standards and get them off to a positive start then we will keep them there - success breeds success.'

Brine Leas High School in Nantwich came ninth in the county. Headteacher Mike Butler said: 'We are delighted because a substantial number of children have achieved beyond their expectations.

'The teachers, students and their families are committed to the same hope for the students to be successful. We provide opportunity for all the children not just the bright, providing a rich range of experiences for all.

'British schools and the education system is at its most successful in 20 years and Brine Leas has gone from a successful comprehensive to being outstanding.'

Sandbach High in Middlewich Road was 12th in the county but headteacher John Leigh stressed academic results are only one aspect of the experience the school offers its pupils.

He said: 'Accepting the amount of data available and the onerous demands of a system too preoccupied with testing, the Key Stage Three is pleasing and recognises the efforts of staff and pupils alike.' Sandbach School has not been included in the tables issued by the Government because of its special status but the school has given its figures which show that it is among the top scoring in the county.

From 193 boys at Level Five or above the scores are 91% English, 91% maths, and 88% science. The points score is 37.5 and the value added total is 101.

Primary-secondary links win praise

THE results for Cheshire as a whole were up by 3% in science and 2% in English with maths staying the same.

Cheshire County Council's lead member for children's services, Cllr David Rowlands, said: 'I would like to congratulate Key Stage Three pupils for their hard work in leading the way in the important subjects of English, maths and science.

'These results show in no small way how effective links between primary and secondary schools help to improve standards.

'It is very pleasing that our pupils have once again attained figures higher than the national average.'